Kingsgate Mall raises funds to benefit Lookout Community programs

From the desk of Karen O’Shannacery, Executive Director

Thank You Volunteer Dave!

Microfinancing Update

Oreo finds a home too

In The Community

Livingroom Dropin Activity Centre

The Living Room Drop-In Activity Centre was initiated in 1993 to provide a welcome "hang out" for the local mentally ill. Located at 528 Powell Street, this is a large bright space for people to come to. The Drop In offers a variety of structured and unstructured programs to encourage participation of people, particularly those who are not already involved with the formal mental health system. A particular goal is to teach social and life skills so as to enhance their ability to maintain a stable and as independent as possible living situation and to improve the quality of their lives.

Open every day of the year (including Christmas) some of the primary goals of the LivingRoom are to improve the safety and well being of our members. In this, our nutritious food program is extremely important and very popular, 36,728 individual meals served this 12‐month period. Food is prepared daily by staff during the week and by volunteers on the weekend. We are also able to include a multi‐vitamin to boost people’s health, thanks to the continuing support of Vancouver Coastal Health H.I.V. funding. High protein drinks are made available for those who are in particular need of a nutritional boost. Medication administration is an important component and is offered on‐site to members whose life skills or life style is not conducive to taking medication as prescribed. The medication program allows members to lead more independent and stable lives, thereby staying out of hospitals and institutions. The members who meet at the LivingRoom are able to socialize with peers in a welcoming environment and either on their own or more often with assistance from staff, develop plans and pursue their goals in an environment that is unfettered by the dangers of everyday life in the Downtown Eastside.

The LivingRoom’s nutritious meal program depends on food donations, which are thankfully received from Food Runners, U.B.C., the movie industry and volunteer groups like the “Greek Ladies” (as we affectionately call them). Every little bit helps. Other assistance comes from groups such as the “Art of Living”, “Sri Baba”, “Friends” and the “Jack Boyda Foundation” who prepare meals and provide entertainment at their own expense of time and money.

In 2007/08 we have had 198 individuals volunteer with the LivingRoom, contributing 4,794 hours of their time! This includes a minimum of 43 members volunteering! 80 individuals provide outside help, including the weekend food groups, preparing meals for 4,480 people! With all this help staff are able to accomplish more for the members, and this is why the LivingRoom is always receptive to volunteers.

The LivingRoom’s membership has increased to approximately 2,274 individuals who (in the same year) made approximately 43,000 visits.

The LivingRoom strives to enrich social and life skills that enhance the ability of members to maintain a stable and independent living situation, thus improving their quality of life and helping to prevent homelessness. Our leisure, social and recreational activities have increased with over 13,000 participants, a 140% increase, thanks to VCHA permitting last year’s small budget surplus to carry‐over to this year! These additional activities were implemented in the last quarter of the year, and included 25 extra outings, including special activities like paint ball and horseback riding. It was such a positive qualitative difference in our member’s outlook, we are driven to try and continue these special outings.